The Neely Team

Crossroads — seasons of life when we desperately need direction for decisions, particularly relating to the next phase of our lives.

Red-lights — a time when we wait on the Lord (possibly for extended periods of time) to make His way clear before our eyes as we seek His will.

Waiting…. waiting to start school… waiting to graduate…. waiting for answers to prayer…. waiting for direction in life… waiting for a job… waiting for a spouse…. waiting for children…. waiting for grandchildren…. waiting for Christ’s return… waiting for………. whatever it might be. Everyone is in some sort of waiting period, and often we’re waiting for more than one thing at a time. When God says, “Wait,” what is your response?

Waiting on the Lord with joyful expectation of what He has in store for us is not always an easy task, but our gracious Heavenly Father promises blessings to those who will. When these seasons of perseverance arise, cling to the promises of God. Hope in His Word. Depend on His grace. His plan is infallible. His timing is perfect. His love is sure. His faithfulness is unending. His mercy is new.

“A sober mind is that which accommodates itself to every estate of life and every event of providence, so that whatever changes happen, it preserves the possession and enjoyment of itself… What pleases Him ought to please us. He knows what is fit to be done and what is fit far better than we do. Let this check all disquieting, discontented thoughts. Should it be according to thy mind? Shalt thou who art but of yesterday control Him, quarrel with Him, or prescribe Him, Whose counsels were of old from everlasting? It is folly to direct the divine disposals, but wisdom to acquiesce in them… Fret not at the place God’s providence has put you in. Make yourselves easy in it and make the best of it, as those who are satisfied that all is well that God doth… Possess your minds with a reverence for the divine providence – its sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness.” (Matthew Henry, from “Sober Mindedness Recommended to the Young,” in The Miscellaneous Works of the Rev. Matthew Henry, Vol. 1)

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

“My soul, wait Thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.” Psalm 62:5

So what crossroads are you waiting at, waiting for the light to turn green — waiting for the Lord’s will to be revealed? Or maybe instead of a red-light there is a stop sign, and the Lord may be preparing to reveal to you a route that you hadn’t seen before. Or maybe there’s fog on the road, and you don’t know where to go, or if there is even a crossroad. Whatever the test, remember that “the Lord our God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11)

You may be seeing this title and thinking, New Years?? That was already four weeks ago!! (Yes, I know – hard to believe, isn’t it?!!) But though there have been many other exciting things going on since then, we still couldn’t bypass that wonderful event that kicked off our 2012!

But before I get to that, I have a few thoughts I’d like to share. First of all, this year I’ve really enjoyed the idea that God has given us a new year to live and work and praise Him in! I think it’s partly because our 2011 was so crazily busy, but whenever I think of the rest of the year before us, I have this exciting feeling of freedom – and anticipation. Looking over our calendars, there are so many little squares representing our days – 366 of them, to be exact – and I wonder, How will the Lord fill these days? Many of them are already filled up, and more are being filled each day. But there’s still so much time in a whole year – time that we need to be using  for God’s glory!

And yet, on the other hand, there’s really not that much time in a year. Sure, there are about 8,784 hours in 2012 (some 550 of which are already gone forever, leaving us with  closer to 8,200), but compared to eternity, that is only just an infinitely tiny speck. When I think of it that way, I am reminded that I need to be spending every bit of this speck of time to advance the Kingdom of God. Some verses that I’ve thought about a good bit recently are Proverbs 3:5-6. Yes, they seem to be extremely common, and I think we often quote them without really thinking about them, just because we’ve heard them so often. But think about the richness in these words: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” So as we enter (or keep living in) 2012, let’s purpose in our hearts, by God’s grace, to acknowledge Him in every area of our lives, including the seemingly insignificant things, so that He can work in and through us, directing our paths for His own glory!

But back to the start of the new year: we were in New York the week between Christmas and New Years, and had a wonderful time up there, working, playing, and visiting with family. We were planning to leave on Saturday, get a hotel about half-way back to our home, and then finish the drive back on Sunday. But we were surprised and delighted when Dad announced that we would be able to spend that New Years Eve with the Wilkes Team instead of by ourselves: they graciously allowed us to use their home as our hotel!!   We had a fabulous 24 hours together, and one of the highlights was the time that we spent “praying in” the new year. Around 11:30 pm, we gathered together and began praying – praising God, thanking Him for His many blessings, praying for our homes and for our nation. We prayed for over an hour, right over the stroke of midnight. It was such a precious time, and an incredible blessing – we would encourage everyone to do that sometime! There is something strengthening and exciting about knowing that you’ve just spent the last bit of the old year, and the first moments of the new in fellowship and communion with the Giver of time itself.

So, even though it’s a bit late, we still mean it very heartily:
Have a blessed 2012, Everyone!!

What do you do when you encounter “dry seasons” in your walk with Christ? You can’t seem to get anything out of the Word… Reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating lose their delight and almost become mundane… You need direction for a crucial decision and can’t find it… You lack the strength you need to face the obstacles along the path… You feel empty and dry and struggle with joy…

Persevere through these seasons! Reject your feelings and keep seeking Christ – -the encouragement will eventually follow, and you will once again be rejoicing. The Lord recently reminded me of the promise in Isaiah 41:17-18:

“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.”

So, press on. He is sufficient for all of your needs, and He will refresh your heart! “…[B]elieve that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb. 11:6

“Are you humbly grateful or grumbly hateful?”

Recently Victoria and I got some new hardware!

Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?? Maybe you should try it too. Having it really is a blast!

Well, I guess before you make any decisions, as in all things, you should be well informed. This hardware is small… shiny (most of the time )…very productive… has many parts and important terminology… are attached to those supposed-to-be-white-and-pearly thingys in your mouth… but can cause quite a bit of pain and are usually expensive.

Anyway… we are really enjoying having braces together! Some people dread them, but we were both terrifically excited and have not been disappointed. It’s been so fun!

The morning after I got them put on, though, I was spending my time with the Lord and a thought struck me. I was still getting used to them, as you can imagine. Every time I moved my mouth, ate, drank, brushed my teeth, said anything… I was reminded of these pieces of metal now semi-permanently glued to my teeth. At that moment I thought: “These are a pretty important to me. But how can God get glory from braces????”

1 Corinthians 10:31: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

“Everything in my life is supposed to bring God glory. Eating and drinking can… braces are a lot bigger deal than eating a meal… I know they can too…… but how??”

I started thinking and came up with several different ways that the Lord could potentially get glory from braces! It sounds strange, almost goofy, but if you really stop and ponder it, Scripture teaches that we were created for God’s glory. It follows, then, that everything we do should fulfill that purpose, including the little things!

The first reason I discovered is found in the analogies that can be drawn. Braces cause pain, but that pain produces positive results. It is the same in our hearts. In His gracious sovereignty, the Lord will take us through painful circumstances and trials to draw us closer to Himself and conform us more into His likeness.

Second, having braces together has strengthened Victoria’s and my relationship as we can discover helpful tips, go through similar feelings, and can just relate better because of having yet another thing in common. A special sort of comradery is fostered. (We recommend dual-braces within a family – Amanda and Jessica did it too!)

Third, braces can help to develop patience. You must wait. It takes time to get your teeth straight after years and years of crooked-tivity! (new word ) 

Fourth, braces made me realize how easy it is to get annoyed at little, insignificant things when I’m in constant pain and helped me find the right response. I realized I had to identify the root of the annoyance and seek the Lord in an “SOS” call to receive His help to respond in love and gentleness.

Fifth, we should desire the gaze of others to be drawn to our face, which should glow with the joy of the Lord. Braces help the appearance of the face to be more appealing!

Sixth, braces don’t happen by yourself. You have to come in contact with people … thus presenting another opportunity to shine the Light of Christ into the life of another!

I’m sure you could think of others; those are just the ones that came to mind. But… if we really were created for God’s glory, then why don’t we think more often about how to accomplish that end in the little things? Mr. Dan Horn once described the glory of God as “the indispensible center” of our lives. Do our thoughts, words, motives, and actions communicate that it is such?

Dear Jordan,

Psalm 127:3, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” You were a special gift from God, given to our home, to our family, for eight weeks this summer. Though we never got to meet you, you played a vital role in each of our lives. We are so grateful for you! But, as your name proclaims, our gracious Father called you over Jordan before us. You have gone on to glory, there to await us until His perfect timing when we will all be united forever. But during your life, the Lord used you to teach and remind us of many important truths.

Through you, we experienced yet again the indescribable joy of new life! We were delighted to find out that you were on the way. A new sibling, a new member of the Team, baby #11…

Through you, we realized just how uncomplaining and patient our darling mother is as she went through the early stages of pregnancy.

Because of you, we watched the Lord illuminate Mommy’s face with the glowing light that only a woman with child can wear.

We saw the beauty of letting God control the womb.

We were taught again to trust unconditionally in the loving, Sovereign hand of God in all circumstances.

We felt the pain of death and loss, but also felt the growth, grace, inexpressible joy, and deepened sense of God’s presence that always follows.

We understood just how blessed we are that we had never experienced miscarriage before.

We were further prepared for our futures as, Lord willing, fathers and mothers.

We tasted the sweetness of the friendship and love of other believers during a trial.

We were drawn closer together as a family, as a Team.

Our realm of ministry was broadened. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God.” II Cor. 1:3-4

We were given yet another reason to look forward to Heaven with great anticipation!

Our hearts, our lives, our characters, our experiences, our trust in God… all were stretched and strengthened by your life. Though the pain is still felt, the results are of eternal significance, and for this, we, your siblings, are eternally grateful. We praise the Lord for your little life. Isaiah 43: 7, “For I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Baby Jordan, you were created for the glory of God, and your life purpose has been fulfilled. Soli Deo Gloria!

We love you, Jordan!

As our country remembers the events of September 11, 2001, we as a nation have forgotten the foundations on which our country was founded. As we remember the heroics of people who sacrificed for others, we have forgotten the God who gives us grace to remain a great nation. As we contemplate our desire for peace in the world, we have forgotten the God of peace.

In 1897, as a commemoration to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, Rudyard Kipling wrote “Recessional” (“God of Our Fathers”) not only as a tribute to the might and power of the British Empire, but as a stark reminder that we had best heed the warnings of Scripture or suffer the fate of all nations who fall victim to their own success and fail to walk in humility before Almighty God.

Deuteronomy 8:11-14 gives another warning to the perils of prosperity: “Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God.”

As the blessings of God lead to repentance, once again we cry out, “God bless America!”

Click here to hear samples of other songs from our patriotic recording.